More than $3 million awarded to nonprofit community groups
Harbor Commissioners on Monday approved 353 Port of Long Beach community sponsorships totaling $944,725 – bringing the fiscal year total to a record $3,080,625 in funding for a wide variety of local community events and projects centering on the environment, education, social justice, the arts and historic preservation.
The Port’s sponsorship program – the largest of any U.S. port – pushed the bar even higher with the third and final call of fiscal year 2026, thanks to a record number of applications in the most recent round. The Port received 1,190 applications in fiscal 2026 and awarded 1,047 sponsorships. The Port of Long Beach Community Sponsorship Program funds area events and programs to inform residents about the Port’s operations and initiatives.
“The robust response to this year’s sponsorship program reflects the strong partnership between the Port and the incredible organizations serving our community,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “We are happy to support local nonprofits who make Long Beach such a great place to live and work, while spreading the word about the Port’s important role as a key economic engine for our city, California and the nation.”
“These sponsorships reflect our commitment to supporting the people and organizations that make Long Beach a vibrant, more connected community,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “The record number of applications this year highlights the Community Sponsorship Program’s reach and allows us to support even more organizations that engage and inspire our community.”
A list of approved sponsorships can be found here.
The Port of Long Beach is building the Port of the Future, guided by its bold new 2050 vision and a plan to double annual container volumes to 20 million units by 2050. The Port is strategically modernizing the Port’s infrastructure with $3.3 billion in capital investments over the next decade and developing digital systems to dramatically enhance efficiency and visibility. The Port moves cargo valued at $300 billion a year and generates 2.7 million jobs across the U.S., and plans to double those benefits by doubling volume. The Port is also a community partner that offers $3 million per year in sponsorships for local nonprofits and a major catalyst for workforce development, creating opportunities for students far and wide. Industry leaders in 2026 named Long Beach “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for an eighth consecutive year. The Port of Long Beach. Always open. Always moving.
